With community-engaged learning CEL, you'll connect course content with real-world experiences; contribute to community; and build your understanding, your CV and your network. There are over 100 opportunities for CEL in the social sciences at UVic.

CEL can be course-based and for-credit (curricular) or extra-curricular and not-for-credit (co-curricular). Activities include field courses, self-directed studies, practica, and co-op. CEL also includes actively volunteering within an already existing community volunteer program or taking on a volunteer role specifically designed for you.

In all cases you connect that experience with your learning through assignments, discussion and/or guided reflection. These experiences can involve direct (person to person) engagement with community or indirect engagement (e.g. gathering and presenting secondary data for a community research question).

There are so many possibilities for building your skills, knowledge, network, and sense of civic responsibility!

Contact the Social Sciences CEL Coordinatorto learn more about these opportunities, to access support for community engaged activities, and to share your story of CEL (we want to spread the word about your great work!).

You have many opportunities to participate in field courses in the social sciences. The field courses listed below are community engaged and are offered most years. There is also a field school student support fund to help with the extra costs associated with these experiences.

You can volunteer in the community, and reflect with your class on these experiences and their significance to course material.

Within the opportunities listed below, community engagement is either an optional or required course component. If you opt for a CEL course or course component, your instructor and the Social Sciences CEL Coordinator are here to support you.

You can take initiative in your learning and your connection with community through self-directed CEL experiences. Community engagement is an option within the courses listed below. If you opt for a self-directed CEL experience, your supervisor and the Social Sciences CEL Coordinator are here to support you. See the resources section below for further supports.

CEL doesn't happen only through course work. You can take initiative to get involved in your community in a meaningful way that benefits your personal and career goals as well as your community. Below are some examples. Contact your Social Sciences CEL Coordinator for more information and for support in making these experiences of ultimate benefit to you and your communtiy.

Research Services houses the Human Research Ethics Board which provides guidance related to the ethics of research. All of your community engaged research (CER) requires approval from the ethics board. Ethical considerations in CER is an important area for critical refection in CEL.